Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1522292
J U L Y 2 0 2 4 I 5 National Vice President Laura Belsey presides over the New York meeting National Executive Director Russell Hollander answers a member question Addressing the subject of creative rights, Barclay outlined how Directors will be seeing a significant impact when the new paid post- production creative rights will take effect in July. Acknowledging the work of the Television Creative Rights Committee — chaired by Thomas Schlamme and Nicole Kassell — he gave some background on the Guild's fight for creative rights with the story of the late Director Elliot Silverstein's fight to regain control of his The Twilight Zone episode, "The Obsolete Man" and the negotiations that led to the first "Bill of Creative Rights" for DGA members in 1964. He brought that gain into the present with a look at the current challenges posed by Generative Artificial Intelligence. "AI could permanently change our story forever if we don't get it right," said Barclay. "We're not going to let that happen. The DGA was the first union – in any industry – to secure protections for its members regarding generative artificial intelligence. In addition to prohibiting the Studios from assigning any member's DGA-covered work to AI, we also guaranteed that for Directors, we will have a strong, enforceable voice in any creative decision-making around AI. "Our guiding principle – that people must come first – should be a universal theme for our society's collective approach to dealing with the promise and peril that Artificial Intelligence poses. This challenge will be vigorous and ongoing – and we will be keeping you informed of our progress." L-R from top row: DGA Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Joyce Thomas, Western AD/UPM Council Chair Linda Montanti, Eastern AD/UPM Council Chair Canella Williams-Larrabee, Associate National Board Member Julie Gelfand and Eastern Council Chair Garry W. Hood deliver their respective reports. Members relax and enjoy the receptions after the DGA Annual Membership Meetings in Los Angeles and New York. — continued on page 6 DGA Secretary-Treasurer Paris Barclay delivers the State-of-the-Guild address in New York